Fashion Revolution Week showcases Australian Made producers

Fashion Revolution Week will showcase Australian Made producers again this year, with local labels taking shoppers behind the scenes of their supply chains to reveal the people and processes involved in sustainable Australian manufacturing.

The 'revolution' uses social media to spread the very important message about supporting locally made, ethical fashion, encouraging consumers to turn their clothes inside out and ask the question ‘who made my clothes?’.

Australian Made Campaign Chief Executive, Ian Harrison, said the initiative provided a valuable platform for Australian clothing and accessory manufacturers, who make products to some of the highest manufacturing standards in the world, supporting local jobs and local industry.

“The Australian Made Campaign is proud to support Fashion Revolution Week and this country’s exceptional makers and manufacturers,” Mr Harrison said.

Merino Country, a manufacturer of Australian Made merino products, was founded by Kerrie Richards in the shearers’ quarters on her family’s sheep and cattle station in Western Queensland. The company has been working with Australian farmers and fabric processors for 23 years and all garment production is done in-house in a factory in Brisbane.

Ms Richards said initiatives like Fashion Revolution Week were a great opportunity for consumers to get to know the people and processes behind their favourite brands.

“We made a conscious decision to manufacture in Australia as it enables us to have better control over the quality of our product and respond quickly to our customers’ needs. Many of our customers actively look for the Australian Made logo, so they can have confidence in the quality of their clothes and know that the people making them are being paid correctly and have good working conditions,” Ms Richards said.

“Between 80 and 100 people contribute in different ways throughout the supply chain to produce just one of our wool t-shirts. We are proud to support Australian jobs and industry, and contribute to our community and economy.”

Anyone can get involved in Fashion Revolution Week by posting a ‘selfie’ on social media, either showcasing an Australian Made brand with the caption 'I know who made my clothes' or calling out to brands with the question 'who made my clothes?' using the hashtags #whomademyclothes and #AustralianMadeCampaign.       

Fashion Revolution Week runs from 18-24 April. For more information visit www.fashionrevolution.org.